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Many bitter non-tattooed naysayers will go, “you’ll regret it when you’re older!” but what they don’t know is that your tattoos will be just fine as long as you put in the work. Taking care of your tattooed skin is an uncomplicated but godly duty that you must diligently perform. If you’re already taking good care of your skin, you are pretty much covered. However, if you’ve yet to take on a full body skincare regimen, your tattoos should motivate you to start! Here’s what you should do.

Exfoliate regularly.

Exfoliating skin where your tattoos lay will not make them fade. In fact, letting dead skin build up over them will dull their appearance. Use gentle exfoliation methods as well as products. Anything too abrasive will just increase your risk of skin damage, inked or not. Healthy skin is the key to making your tattoos look brighter and more vibrant.

What you can get:

Keep it moisturized.

Dry skin will make your tattoos look aged so don’t skip the moisturizer after your showers. There are special salves and balms for tattoos that you can buy, but your standard, favorite lotion will do just fine! If you’re going to express yourself through body art, you have to make sure your tattoos speak for themselves.

What you can get:

Use sun protection.

Yes, we all love showing off our otherwise hidden ink when we’re clad in almost nothing at the beach. You do you in 2017. But please: use sunscreen! Tattoos require no special formulations or additional SPF; just use what you would regularly put on your body, which you should be doing anyway whenever you’re expecting to spend some time outside. Skin damage from prolonged and frequent sun exposure can and will make your tattoos fade out. All that courage you used up to take the needle while wincing in pain will be for nothing if you let Mr. Golden Sun splash aging UV rays all over your skin.

This should go without saying, but in case it still isn’t clear: no artificial tanning beds, either. If you’re aiming to get darker, just go with fake tanning lotions. These are not known to harm or fade tattoos.

What you can get:

Watch out for anything strange.

Your skin is a dynamic surface that will undergo changes throughout the years. Human bodies undergo significant cellular changes every 7 years, so even if you’ve had your tattoo for a while, it’s possible that something will still come up. If you have itchiness or new moles and spots, it is best to be proactive and consult your dermatologist right away.How do you care for your tattooed skin? Share us your regimen by commenting here or tagging us on Facebook or Instagram @iamclaireph!